Improvement in inlays for sandal boots and shoes



T. OWENS.

r Inlays for Sandal Boots and Shoes. N0.155,968. Patented 0ctl1 3,l874

UNITED STATES THERESA OWENS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSTGNOR TO LORD & TAYLOR, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN INLAVS FOR SANDAL BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 155,968, dated October 13, 1874; application filed August 28, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THERESA OwENs, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Inlay for Sandal Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a side View, partly in section, of a sandal-boot containing my improved inlay. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the inlay.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

The object of this invention is to supply for use in perforated boots and shoes known as sandal boots and shoes an inlay which will be visible through the apertures of the uppers, and of a color to match the dress of the wearers, and which, at the same time, will protect the stockings from becoming dusty and soiled.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, the letterArepresents a boot or gaiter made with slots across the instep, and, in fact, perforated at any desired part of the upper. Overshoes thus slotted and known as sandals have long been in use; but now there is a demand for airy boots and shoes, especially by ladies, and as a consequence wearing apparel slotted as in Fig. l is much in vogue. I have ascertained that such sandal-boots or sandal-shoes are, however, open to several objections, as they frequently disclose stockings Whose colors do not match With the colors of the dresses, as they furthermore cause the displayed portions of the hose'to become soiled and dusty in streaks, so that it cannot be worn at home in slippers, and because, finally, they leave the foot insufficiently protected, if the wearer is surprised by inclement weather.

All these objections I overcome by the use of an inlay or sandal shield, B, which is a piece of silk or other fabric, or collection of fabrics, of such form that it will cover and protect the upper part of the foot and instep over which the perforated part of the sandal-boot is drawn. This inlay is provided. with a pocket or toe piece, a, at its front end for the insertion of the ends of the toes, and with elastic or other bands, I) b, at suitable distances apart, which embracethe foot, and hold the inlay in place.

In use, the inlay is drawn over the stocking, the toe-piece a definin g its position on the foot, and permitting it to be drawn tight. The sandal boot or shoe is next drawn over the foot. The color of the inlay will then be perceptible through the perforations of the boot or shoe. The inlay can, therefore, be selected of a color to match the dress. It may be made reversible with different colors on its opposite sides, so that either one color or the other may be displayed. The inlay protects the stocking so that the same will not become soiled or dusty in streaks, as it is otherwise liable to become in a sandal boot or shoe. The inlay also serves as a shield to protect the foot against excessive cold or moisture, and can, in fact, be made so warm and comfortable, as to make sandal boots and shoes quitea desideratum in the cold season.

As to its construction, the inlay may be made with one seam along the front, or altogether in one piece, or otherwise, of the required form.

I claim as my invention- As a new article of manufacture, an inlay, B, made with the toe-piece a, and elastic straps b, to secure it to the foot, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and set forth.

THERESA OWENS.

Witnesses:

J. W. WARRIN, F. V. BRIESEN. 

